As per normal this is cut for the fanfiction rating, for the full chapter hop on over to Ao3.

Before A Soft Light

Tai and Yang sat on the sofa watching as Qrow and Ruby went back and forth, training swords of various styles lined up against the far wall. Flower was all well and nice but Ruby wanted to experiment with more swords.

Swish, crack, wisk, crack!

"Argh nope!" Ruby glared at the rapier in her hand and swished it around. "It's too light! And it feels weird to only use one hand!"

Tai tapped his finger against his chin in thought, he'd been watching them. Qrow was using a claymore while Ruby had tried her hand with a standard longsword and had not liked it, she wanted to try a rapier after remembering how elegant Weiss looked with it, but NOPE, it was not for her. "Give her something bigger Qrow, she's got the muscle, let her use it."

Qrow looked down to his training blade, the heavy broad claymore, with a shrug and lift of his brow he swung it around and offered the hilt to her. He thought it was so very cute when she bit her lip and was very tempted to do that himself.

The silver eyed teen took the sword and it did feel better. It felt more like Crescent Rose the weight similar and though it was just a training sword she mirrored Qrow's stance as another scythe wielder it seemed a good place to start. She found she could move it around with one arm like him.

Tai was a little bit disturbed by how alike Ruby became to Qrow in that moment, her stance shifted one hip dropping back in time with her foot. Then she smiled and Tai shivered, Ruby with a sword would be a terrifying sight. With a scythe you had fair warning she was gonna hit you hard and scythes were very limited in their strikes, they required lots of momentum to attack. With a sword the warning period of a strike would be shortened, she'd be faster and powerful. Gods, Qrow had a reputation, Tai had a feeling Ruby would take after him, become a force to be reckoned with.

Qrow took the rapier and traded it for a hand and a half bastard sword, it was a bit thin for his tastes but it was something he'd learned with. The idea was for Ruby to learn different styles of fighting both in her favor and for against her, to defend against. He moved to his usually stance, "Ready?" he asked turning to her.

Ruby nodded, set her lip and exploded forth, bring both hands onto the hilt, it felt better to use both.

Yang glanced over to her dad, he was leaning over with his elbows on his knees hands folded under his chin, she could see his eyes dance around studying the pair. Ruby had shown off at the Vytal tournament but this was different.

That is one of Ozpin's moves. Tai thought watching as Ruby, switched the direction of the swing mid way to strike with the dull of the blade. She jumped back twisting her body to the side, while spin the blade in one hand to block Qrow's swing. And that is Qrow. Ruby dropped to ground under another of Qrow's swings leaping up to drive her knee into the other man's chest. That's new. Ruby stepped on Qrow's chest with her other foot as he staggered and vaulted off him, twisting herself to land on her feet towards him.

Ruby grabbed the blade with both hands and launched herself forward again, the pairs weapons met with a responding crash. Ruby looked up to Qrow, grinning with a twisted smirk that mirrored the one he had used to bait Winter.

Qrow found himself grinning back down at her, the claymore wasn't quite right for her, it was a little too long but given a few more years… Her swordplay also needed work, he could see her pulling heavily from what she had seen him and Oz do while her instincts sprinkled in stuff that was her own. With a smirk he sent three quick, jarring attacks heavy and fast, he could see Ruby struggled to get the claymore into position, moving fast enough to block, the third strike forced the big blade from her hands and clattering to the floor between them.

"Oww." Ruby said with a groan, it felt like her bones were vibrating with how hard and fast he had struck out. She had liked the claymore, it has resonated with her, even if a bit hard to move around.

Qrow spun the bastard sword around and offered the hilt to her, using his toe to flick the claymore back up into his other hand.

Ruby took the sword and weighed it, it was heavier than the longsword but not as heavy as the claymore. "It's too light." She said looking up to him again.

"Length might be better though, keep in mind we can make the flat of the blade wider as well." Qrow said flipping the claymore around to ready and stepping back moving into ready position.

As they began again Tai could see instantly that the bastard sword was a better match for Ruby. It still let her use two hands, but was just short enough that its length didn't hinder her. She did look like she wanted a longer hilt, her lips turning down into a frown whenever her palm came to the pommel.

Qrow called them to a stop much more quickly than before saying. "I think you found your sword."

Ruby looked down at the wooden stick in her hand, it wasn't perfect but it was a start. "I might make a few tweeks." She said with a smile and a shrug of her shoulders, tossing it from one hand to the other.

"I think it suits you." Tai said getting up. "Why don't you two hit the drawing board before your brains explode with ideas?"

"Sounds like a plan Tai." Qrow headed off towards the study, Ruby saluted her Dad and made eye contact with Yang. Her sister had gone oddly quiet again, holding her arm.


"No that won't work, it won't balance right." Qrow said taking the pencil from Ruby and making a change. His other hand was wrapped around her waist as she sat on his lap, her back to his front.

"I want to be able to fire it though!" Ruby pointed at the sniper parts of the weapon.

"The barrel is already collapsible, so we add a few more segments. We could even add a hinge, so you'd be able to lower the blade for a cleaner shot." Qrow grabbed another piece of paper and started sketching for her.

"Like Harbinger?" Ruby asked, the clinking thing the man's scythe did had always struck her as cool. Then again, she had always been fascinated with Qrow's weapon. She rested her hand on his left, which he had wrapped comfortably around her waist, Ruby was petting his thumb with hers.

"Mmhmm," Qrow confirmed, the tip of his tongue sticking out from the corner of his mouth as he drew.

Ruby giggled looking up at him, then reached up to trace a finger through his stubble. Qrow hummed appreciatively but remained focused on his drawing. Crescent Rose was a tricky weapon to modify, once he was done they'd go through it bit by bit and work out what other changes needed to be made. Ruby could design it herself, but she wasn't good enough to not have to redesign it from scratch. So Qrow decided to help, getting to hold her on his lap while he worked was just a nice bonus.

As he drew, Ruby slid her finger down over his neck, tracing with just the tip. She shifted a little bit so she could rest her cheek on his shoulder. Sneakily she started to work on the buttons of his shirt, he let her get half way before rumbling out a warning. "Ruby." The young adult giggled and pressed a kiss to his neck.

Qrow set the pencil down and picked her up, spinning her around and putting her on the desk. "I thought you wanted to redesign Crescent Rose?"

"I do, but you're just so cute when you are concentrating." Ruby said parting her legs and putting her hand between them leaning forward, with a mischievous smirk.

The red eyed man rose a brow at her and leaned back into the chair with a huff. "I am not cute."
Ruby nodded vigorously. "Yes you are."

"Am not."

"Are to."

"Am not." Qrow growled, starting to lean forward to stare her down.

"Are to~." Ruby drew out the o and smiled, silver eyes gleaming.

Qrow glared at her and snapped his jaw shut, refusing to get drawn further into this. He watched her lean back and giggle, he licked his lips, she looked very kissable in that moment. Well she always looked kissable, but especially so perched on his desk, blueprints all around her. Giggling, smiling, so bright and lovely, he opted to give into temptation.

He stood swiftly, his hand finding its way into her hair and his lips to hers. He heard the surprised meep, she let out but she quickly recovered, her hands moving up to hold his shoulders, an anchor in the storm of emotions he usual caused. He moved his left hand to the small of her back, holding her up as their lips melded. The raven haired man was careful, never deepening the kiss for that was a slippery slope he wasn't ready for. Though he made a mental note for far far in the future, that he needed to have her on his desk, it was the perfect height.

It was over all too soon for Ruby's liking, his kisses excited her, restrained as they were. She found herself missing Oz's kisses, they were never restrained and they reduced her to a puddle of happy goo.

She could feel her skin flush and her panties grow damp from the feel of his soft lips alone. As he drew away she let out a little whimper, lips chasing after him in a short breath till he sat back down. She leaned back with a pout before an evil little smirk briefly made its way onto her face. Ruby wiggled her hips, watching his gaze dart down for a moment before flying back up to her eyes. She smiled at that, she had decided to wear a skirt today, clearly that was working in her favour now.

Qrow swallowed thickly when he saw that she had caught him peeking, oh this was bad, he tried to redirect her. "Weapons don't design themselves."

Ruby pouted and swung her legs slightly. "We've got all winter and even then we have till we get to Haven, it's not like it's a big rush."

He watched the way she pouted at him, her lips looking lovely, desperate for his attention. All he had to do was step up and... Nope not going there, Qrow shook his head trying clear his lust addled thoughts. He glanced at her and saw that little smile that was forming, she knew what she was doing, her not so subtle suggestion that they do other things. Damn, Oz was right about her being a vixen. Qrow thought as he glanced away from her, trying to clear his dirty thoughts. He was holding himself together by sheer dumb luck, he didn't want to risk falling into the memory. He looked back up to her eyes, thinking of a way to distract her. "About that. How do you want to go to Haven, just the two of us? Or do you want to get ahold of your friends and all go together?"

Ruby frowned, he was being so stubborn, she rested her hands behind her leaning on them and wiggled her butt to the edge off the table. "I'd like to have Jaune, Ren, and Nora come with us. They are going to try for Haven too, it would make the most sense to go together."

Salem. The word leaped into Qrow's mind without warning as he grabbed Ruby and pulled her astride his lap faster than she could blink.

"Qrow?" She asked with concern, she had seen something dark flashed behind his eyes and could now feel him tense under her.

"SHE will hunt you, it's only a matter of time." He held her thighs, dipping his head to rest his forehead against hers. She could hear the fear laced in his voice, the knowing tone that Salem would be coming for her the minute she stepped out of their safety bubble. Ruby wrapped her arms loosely around his neck, ah so that was it. He was worried about Salem, worried about her safety. "You are still coming with us."

Qrow squeezed his eyes shut. "I'm bad luck Ruby. It will hurt your friends and if something happens to them. . . then bounces back onto you."

"Shhh." Ruby raised her hands to his face, guiding him gently away from her so she could kiss him, just a soft simple meeting of lips, a reassurance. "It will be okay."

"I don't want to put you at risk." Qrow said drawing away and blinking rapidly, he really couldn't bare the thought of her getting hurt, of being the one to hurt her.

"I'll be at more of a risk if you stay away." The silver eyed woman spoke soothingly, her hands remaining on his face.

"Your friends-."

"Are Huntsmen and Huntress, they can handle themselves, and we need all the help and protection we can get. I don't see them minding if you tag along." Ruby said stroking his cheeks with her thumbs.

"Till they figure out what my Semblance is." Qrow said bitterly, he'd be blamed for everything bad that ever happened. He could already feel history repeating itself, there were many reasons he worked alone.

"What do you think we should do then?" Ruby asked, cocking her head to one side.

Stay in Patch, stay out of Salem's sight and mind, or find someplace even more remote and hide out another war there. "And no, we can't run away and hide."

He sighed, frustrated that she knew his thoughts so well. "I could shadow you, I'll keep the Grimm off your team's back and stay far enough away that my Semblance won't affect them. I'll still be there to protect you, but far enough to keep you and your friends safe from my Semblance." It was the best compromise he could think of. Though he still liked, and preferred, the getting her as far away from trouble as possible plan, he knew the thought wouldn't have even occurred to her. He'd fallen in love with a Silver Eyed Warrior. Running away wasn't an option, Ruby Rose did not run from trouble, an endearing but tiresome quality. So, he'd have to find ways to stick with her, to keep her safe, to keep Salem and her pawns away from the silver eyed teen.

Ruby frowned at the suggestion of his plan, she did not like the idea of Qrow hiding from her friends one bit. Even worse, she wouldn't be able to see him very often if they went through with this plan. She brushed her fingers down over his cheeks and rested her hands on his shoulders. He was watching her softly, she could see those soft red eyes trace over her features again and again, like he was trying to memorize her. A smile tugged at her lips as he watched her, but it quickly disappeared as she remembered their topic at hand. "I don't like it. At all." She said as a matter of fact.

"Do you have a better idea?" Qrow asked taking hold of her hips.

The silver eyed teen let out a tired sigh, no really didn't have any better ideas. Rather than dwell on something that wouldn't be important for months, she settled for another kiss before they got back to work.


Qrow sat on the porch bundle up in a blanket hot chocolate in his hands as he watched the first snow of winter fall. Ruby was sleeping, he had snuck out of bed when he saw the white flakes falling. It was a little tradition of his dating back to when he had been a child. Sneaking out of the tribe's camp and away from his 'sister' to watch the snow fall. It was something he liked to do alone.

However it seemed he wasn't the only one awake at this late hour. The door opened with a creak and Yang stepped out onto the deck. A hot chocolate in her remaining hand, she was layered up in her pajamas but Qrow opened his arms and invited her to snuggle with him all the same.

The blonde cuddled up curling against his side and tucking her feet up on the bench. She sipped her hot chocolate as they watched the snow fall in silence. Qrow chose not to speak, his relationship with Yang had always been a bit strained at best. He was the uncle that was never there or the drunkard. Sure when the shit had hit the fan he always appeared but otherwise… Qrow sighed softly, he had a lot of regret where Yang was concerned. She just reminded him of her mother and that was never a nice thing.

"How do you do it?" Yang asked softly not looking away from the snow.

"Do what?"

"I can't get Adam out of my head." Yang whispered.

"Ah." Qrow said and tightened his arm around her. He knew what that felt like all too well, he could see the questions behind Ruby's eyes. Why he was still keeping his distance, why he let her sleep with Oz yet kept himself away.

"I know you have the same problem. I've seen Ruby pull you out of the memories over and over but…" Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes. "I don't have anyone."

"Tai is always keeping an eye on you. Ruby's here too and you've got me for what that's worth." Qrow said.

"I know, but it doesn't help. I don't feel like-." Yang just stopped and cuddle up tighter to him. She found it strange if nice that he didn't smell of alcohol.

"It will get better with time, it's okay to not be okay you know. I've done a lot of things I'm not proud of. Those memories haunt me every day, you don't have that same weight on your mind. You fought to protect a friend but you were outmatched. It happens to us all at some point of our lives." Qrow reached up and touched her temple. "The real battle is always up here. It's why you learn about all this in school, because with the job you've picked it's… inevitable." He sighed. "It's where you go after that matters the most."

"Oz was where you went. He helped you."

Qrow winced. "Part of the work I did for Oz, changed me, he changed me with his magic. Made me a bit more than human and he took responsibility for that. It made the memories worse. So yeah he helped, in a way you could say he cleaned up his mess."

"But you love him… loved him." Yang corrected her statement, learning that Ozpin had magic and had changed Qrow didn't surprise her in the least. Her uncle had always been full of odd quirks.

"He's alive." Qrow whispered, watching the light reflect off the snow.

Yang was silent at that for a long time. "So why are you here then? Why aren't you and Ruby going after him?"

"Because it's impossible to know where he has gone. We only know that somewhere out there he is alive." Qrow finished his hot chocolate before it got cold.

The movement reminded Yang to drink hers as well. "Ruby really likes him, it was so nice seeing her unwind at school. You could always tell when she had spent the night with him, she glowed and smiled more. She hasn't been doing that lately."

"What are you getting at Yang?" Dread coiled in his stomach.

"Why aren't you, you know sleeping with her? I know she wants it and is just waiting on you." Yang finally looked up at Qrow.

Qrow shook his head. "I don't want to talk about it."

Yang opened her mouth to push him but then shut it again and rested her head on his chest. They watched the snow fall in silence, till the cold nipped at their toes and drove them back inside.


Ruby and Qrow quickly hit a rhythm to their days, one chaste kiss in the mornings and one at night, after sending Oz Aura. The rose steadily flourished in their hands, returning to all its former glory and but it stayed more in Qrow's room now, less chance for someone to catch onto what it really was that way. Taiyang kept everyone busy, even Yang as autumn came to a close and winter started to set in.

Qrow started taking bounties again, only smaller ones close to home but he wanted to chip into the household. Signal had closed its doors for winter so Tai was out of work, but he wanted to stay home with his girls anyway. No one really dared leave Yang alone for extended periods of time. Not when the blonde girl went through stages of grievance that lasted days and consisted of her refusing to eat, drink or even speak. There hadn't been so much somber silence in the log cabin Tai had built for his family for many many years.

A silver eyed young adult was sitting in the living room, curled up on the couch, waiting for Qrow to home with a book and hot chocolate. A fire crackled away in the hearth, the power had been out for days but that wasn't that abnormal. Normally Ruby would at least be trying to sleep right now, but over the last few weeks she'd gotten used to sleeping with Qrow. Their bed felt too big and cold without him and tonight what kept her up was the blizzard that had settled over Patch like a globe of ice and gale winds.

Ruby thumbed a page of her favourite book, 'The Hero and the Crown' she was worried about Qrow, he was due back yesterday. She'd spent the entire day pacing back and forth through the house as it was too cold to go outside. She knew she was driving her dad a bit nuts, but he couldn't call her on it as he used to do the same thing when they were out without him.

Crackle, crackle, pop went the fire and the front door opened with a jerk and bang, frozen winter air leapt at the opportunity to invade the Xiao-Long residence. The door was forced shut with a grunt and the bar all but slammed down across it. "Bloody freezing hell's, gonna end up snow bond at this rate."

Qrow stamped his heavy boots trying to get some of the snow off him, he sneezed and shivered violently. His fingers fumbled as he tried to get his gloves off, the snow was melting from the fire and making him even wetter.

Ruby was off the couch and helping in seconds, her nimble fingers making quick work of the knots and peeling the sodden gloves from Qrows hands. She grabbed both his hands in hers and tried not to be afraid at the reddened skin. "You're frozen through."

The heat from Ruby almost hurt, hot to cold, she let go of his hands and pulled up her shirt and put them on her belly with a little meep at the cold, as she reached up to work through the clasps and knots that held Qrow's winter gear in place.

Qrow was distracted by the heat of her stomach, his fingers were slowly moving away from burning cold pain to just cold. She looked so cute with her tongue sticking out slightly to the side as she focused on the knot holding his heavy winter cloak in place. He really should be helping her but her stomach was so warm, it was taking all of his willpower not to pull her in closer.

"Got it!" Ruby said beaming and pulling the wet black fur cloak from his shoulders, she dislodged his hands when she hanged up the cloak.

The movement shocked Qrow back into awareness enough to help her get through his clothes. They carelessly yanked off soaking layer after layer, Qrow managed to get his boots off without stepping in the growing puddle under him.

Stripped down to his under armour Ruby pulled him over to the couch, "Are you okay?" she asked racing over to the kettle to reheat the water for hot chocolate. The chocolate would bring his blood sugar up and the heat would warm him from the inside out.

Qrow pulled off his heavy wool socks and pulled his feet up under him on the couch. "Yeah, just got held up by the storm." He grabbed a fuzzy wool and cotton blanket from the back of the couch and wrapped himself up. He cupped his bright red ears and pulled out the letter he had picked up in town, while Ruby zipped about.

He gingerly took the cup of hot chocolate when Ruby offered it, the heat radiating through his cold fingers. Ruby sat beside him, fiddling with the edge of the blanket, she spotted the envelope.

"Go ahead." He sipped the hot chocolate, it hurt his frozen lips, his under armour was starting to feel cold and clammy. He set the cup down and pulled off the shirt and after a moment's hesitation the pants as well. Ohhh that was better, he could actually feel the warmth from the blanket now.

Ruby bit her lip when he stripped the rest of the way but picked up the letter and popped off the wax seal. She started to read as Qrow wrapped himself back up tight and picked up his cup again. Tears collected in her eyes, she held the letter gently.

"Ruby?" Qrow asked.

Ruby started to read aloud.

"Dearest Beloveds

It pains me greatly to be parted from you both, but I am very glad you know that I am well. I would have never guessed the item we made for our youngest individual would prove so vital to us. I am so very sorry that I have not been able to make more personal contact with you. My flight was necessary, our foe will slow the pace of their mission with me out of sight and hopefully mind. I am sorry for the pain my departure caused. Not a day goes by that I do not wish to return to you both, many days I must talk myself out of doing so.

As to where I went, I flew eastward the sands of my current place are perfect for reforging the soul. Once I have completed my tasks here I will try for the place mentioned by the current season. It may be a while, but I dare not return to our home, appearing on your doorstep as I am now would look very odd. It would also likely give me away, given my history with you both.

I feel the need to mention that a woman took a fancy to me as she healed me, when I was better she requested more iminate contact. I know that neither of you have expressed a wish to be exclusive, at least for the time being but I feel that I just say, that I indulged her. She aided in my recovery greatly and a night of pleasure was the least I could do to say thank you.

Your nightly gifts are very comforting and I thank you for them, I only wish I could return the favour. Perhaps I will find something here to send to you, though any gift I find will be pale in comparison to your own.

I will always return to you."

It was signed with a green rose, Ruby let out a long shuddering breath and wiped her eyes. "He's okay, he's gonna come find us."

Qrow set his cup down and shifted the blanket around so it was just over his front then pulled Ruby onto his lap, wrapping her up in it as well.

She shivered as soon as she came into contact with his cold skin but she snuggled into him, happy to lend her body heat. She let Qrow take the precious letter from her trembling fingers.

The detective in Qrow came rushing to the forefront like a bloodhound with a scent. The paper was cheap, the ink equally so, he went through it slowly line by line. "He's in Vacuo and building a new identity so SHE thinks that he's dead. 'I will try for the place mentioned by the current season'." He raised the letter to his nose and sniffed, it was musty. "This is several weeks old at least, so the season would have been Fall. Cinder mentioned being from Mistral right?" He glanced down to Ruby who had shifted to straddle him going for maximum skin contact trying to warm him up.

"Yeah, she said it was 'equally undesirable' there." She reached up and cupped his pink ears.

"So he's stuck in Vacuo clearly remaking himself," Qrow paused. "Damn, from Vacuo to Mistral, that's gonna take him a while."

Ruby ran her hands down his neck, his skin was steadily warming up, but he was still chilled. She was tempted to take off her shirt and snuggle up tight to his bare chest. "How long?"

"Well, it's about nine from here to Mistral on foot including the boat trip, he's got to double that distance then some." Qrow slide his free hand under Ruby's shirt and smirked at the little yelp she let out, his hand was still cold and she was so very warm.

Ruby frowned sadly. "So he's gonna take a long time to get back to us."

"Probably, Atlas has shut down so airships are out, the fastest way for him to get to Mistral would be by ship and that is at least ten months." Qrow's heart seized at the thought, that was a best case scenario guess, he couldn't remember the last time he went so long without Oz.

"So we leave for Mistral come spring and maybe we'll get there at around the same time?" Ruby asked, resting her cheek on Qrows clavicle.

Qrow set the letter down on the table before them and wrapped his arms around her. He had half a mind to teach her privately, between him and Tai they could cover everything Haven could and it kept Ruby out of Salem's sight. He tucked his face to her hair and pulled her closer, breathing deeply her scent. His lips brushed her head, part of him wanted to find some quiet place in the middle of nowhere to hide her.

"Qrow. What's wrong?" Ruby asked softly pulling back to look him in the eyes.

"I'm just worried, Mistral is like leaping into a Beowolfs' mouth, at least here you are safe and out of sight. Going to Mistral to Haven, it will be like waving a big red flag saying 'come and get me Salem'." He tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

"It will be okay, we can't stand by and let her win, and Oz will be there, we won't be alone." Ruby kissed his wrist.

Qrow slid his hand round to weave his fingers into her hair. "I know, I just wish we didn't have to fight in a war."

Ruby leaned forward and kissed him softly, her lips hovering over his. "It won't be forever, we'll win and then we'll take Oz and disappear. Just like you said, from Vacuo, to Mistral, Atlas to Menagerie, we'll go wherever we want, whenever we want."

Qrow smiled and tilted his head and kissed her again. He meant to keep it chaste but with hope for the future blooming behind his breast, he darted his tongue out and tasted Ruby's lip. He felt her jump a little and let out a surprised breath, his free hand slipped down to span her lower back. He heard her moan a softly and part her lips against his, teasing him as her hands came up to rest on his shoulders. Qrow didn't dare back away and ruin the moment, he teased his tongue forth, dancing with hers.

Ruby was in heaven, she wanted this for so long but he so rarely allowed it and never since Oz left them. The weeks of little kisses, of teasing and suddenly this. Part of her wondered what changed that he was allowing this, the other part really didn't care and was going to enjoy it for as long as possible. She thought that maybe he tasted like a forest after rain, if such a thing had a taste, he'd been dry for weeks so there was no burn of alcohol. His lips were chapped from the cold and his stubble occasionally scratched her chin.

Ruby rocked gently in his embrace rubbing her groin to his, she blushed as she felt the rather instantaneous response.

"Ruby." Qrow growled drawing away from the kiss.

"Please, please." She leaned in and caught his lips again before he could stop her, her hands coming up to weave into his wet hair. She moved from his lips to his neck, pulling his head back so she could plant open mouthed wet kisses to the slender column.

Qrow groaned, she was shutting down his brain before he could get a word in. "Ruby." He let out a soft moan of her name as she licked down his neck. "Stop, we shouldn't." His eyes fluttered as she sucked on a crescent scar and his head fell back against the couch.

Ruby smiled, keeping up her kisses, she let go of his hair and trailed her hands down his chest too his…

Qrow grabbed her hands before she reach her destination, his grabbed her back and spun them so she was on her back on the couch seats with him between her legs. "Ruby." Qrow said again finally grabbing enough of his wits to growl at her.

Ruby shivered at his voice, he had never sounded quite like that before. She looked at him the fire light sending shadows flicking over his face, his eyes were near black with a thin ring of his pale red she loved so much. She swallowed and licked her lips. "Please."

Qrow looked down to her, her shirt had ridden up, her hair loose and fanning out on the cushion, silver eyes alight. She was old enough to call the shots here, but part of him still felt that they should stop this. That he was a dirty cradle robber, part of him didn't care that he'd be the same today as a century or two from now. He wasn't Ozpin, he didn't have the mindset of a immortal yet, even if he had the body of one. Then there was Ruby herself, her strange Aura though it had been dormant whatever had lashed out hadn't showed itself again.

Gods she was so beautiful, he shifted drawing back planting his hands on either side of her head. He closed his eyes trying to figure out what to do, how much control did he dare give her?

Ruby very carefully with a evil little smirk, rolled her shirt up and ducked out of it all without brushing his arms. She bit her lip and waited, the anticipation, the want, the lust, fire and the cool chill to the room all making her nipples perky and full.

Qrow opened his eyes and nearly did a double take at the smooth pale creamy skin that filled his vision. The hard small pink nipples that demanded his attention, her breasts were fuller than they had been on her birthday and the knowledge that he could worship them if he wanted made it all the more tempting. He looked up to her shining silver eyes, they were so warm, radiating with the trust she offered him so readily. He knew he could do whatever he wanted, he knew he could have all of her here and now, over and over, and she'd love every minute off it. She'd beg for more, plead to him till she was too exhausted to continue, she'd love it when he spilled his seed inside her and marked her as his own. Qrow reached out and brushed a finger down the side of her face, watched her bite her lip, felt her tremor and he knew just how much she wanted him, just a ghosting touch precluding to the moan he could draw so easily from her.

"Please Qrow." Ruby spoke softly pleading without begging.

Qrow swallowed thickly, that fear of breaking her that had taken root so deeply in his mind twisted in his gut. He didn't trust himself to have her, his Semblance alone could ruin things but maybe he could release her from this tension that eternally rose between them. He loved her carefully from a distance, he loved her smile, the soft beautiful laugh she saved just for him. He loved her flaws, from her innocence to her naivety, to her social shyness, he loved every part of her. He had done without the physical since they decided to court. Sometimes he vented his frustration with Ozpin when they had been fracturing apart or taking other women to bed. Hollow empty couplings that only eased his body, incapable of soothing his soul, they could never give him what he really wanted. They never gave themselves to him as Ruby did in this moment, never loved him so completely, trusted him with their hearts. They didn't soothe him when he awoke screaming, they couldn't take the bottle away from him and he didn't love them for it. Ruby made him be the better man he wished he could always be, for her he'd give everything, he'd cut out his heart and give it to her if it made her smile. He'd give her everything he could ever be, he loved her, so very completely, only Ozpin had created this devotion so completely within him.

Ruby saw Qrow get lost in his mind, she leaned up and gently kissed him, a tiny lingering brush of lips. "My Qrow." she whispered.

Her words jarred him from his internal reflection, he leaned down till she was laying back again, their lips melding together as they went. He wanted to be open to her, waited to give her everything, his hands flowed over her body travelling down her chest, over her breasts and stomach to her pajamas. So very gently he took hold of her pants and panties, drawing back pulling and removing the garments, stepping back setting the clothes on the table.

The fire burned low as Ruby watched him trying to figure out what was going through his head, after fighting with her shyness, she parted her legs and showed him her wet feminine folds. His silence confused her, but when he stripped off his underwear she got distracted, the light was to soft for her to see well, but she could see the lines of his body clearly. Her Qrow so ready for her, he took a step toward her and offered his hand.


()

The petite woman kept her strokes steady testing out a little twist of her wrist when she rose to touch the tip of him. She watched transfixed by him as he moaned softly drawing deep rapid breaths, his hand tightening almost painfully on her hip as he painted her belly with ejaculate, his hips diving into her hand as his orgasm washed over him. She continued to stroke him till his member stopped throbbing in her hand, she licked her lips at the idea of that happening within her.

Qrow came down slowly, pulling her closer, he enjoyed that more than all the one night stands with nameless women. Ruby tucked into his chest letting out a sleepy purr, he breathed deeply, taking in her scent and the feel of her pressed up nude against him.

They held each other in silence, the bliss of what they did and the feel of each other setting over them.

Qrow wanted to stay there, with the warm hearth at his back and his lovely Ruby snuggled to his front, but Tai said he didn't want to see or hear and he'd definitely see if they fell asleep here. "Ruby love, we need to relocate."

Ruby groaned sleepily "I don't want too."

Qrow smirked. "Me neither but I don't think Tai wants to see your lovely bare butt first thing in the morning."

Ruby signed and drew away sitting up, she yawned and smiled down at him. "When we have a place of our own we are going to sleep before the hearth."

The red eyed man found himself grinning at that, she thought about them having a home of their own and right at that moment he wanted to make all of her wishes come true. "Nothing would make me happier, more come on, let's get going before the hearth lulls us back asleep."

Ruby nodded and gathered up her clothes, cleaning her hand on her shirt. Qrow put the blanket back over the couch after a quick check to make sure none of their fluids had gotten on it, gathered up his own clothes, and Oz's letter and they headed up stairs as quietly as they could. Qrow felt a little like the boyfriend sneaking in, but he honestly didn't care, they made it to his room unobstructed.

Ruby put her pajamas on his dresser and he threw his into the hamper, as Ruby pulled back the rumpled covers and wordless invited him in with her. He came over to her laying down beside her and drawing the duvet over them, she snuggled into his chest as he slide an arm under the pillow and wrapped his free arm around her. This was different, but it was a very welcome change, skin to skin, Qrow glanced over to the rose and picked it up. Ruby reached up and cupped the base of it, Qrow moved his hand to do the same, cupping hers as well. They closed their eyes and kissed gently, summoning up Aura and the memory of being together. They poured every feeling, every taste, every emotion into the Rose, then deepened kiss and sent that through to their love that as well.

Qrow moaned as the energy from Ruby seeped into him as well, he turned it to flow through the rose, giving Oz double as to what he would be used too. They tried to keep the flow slow, to make love to Oz with their memories, they pressed tighter together giving a new feeling of skin on skin to mixed with the memory. They played out the memory to the end, the extensive use of Aura exhausting them they quickly fell asleep.


The wind still howled by the time the grey light of morning crept under the blinds, Qrow was the first to wake, it took him a minute to remember he was nude and so was Ruby. Thankfully there was no morning call from Tai anymore, since the storm started several days ago, Tai had started letting Ruby and Yang lay in. He looked down, Ruby was exactly as she had been when they came to bed, snuggled into his chest, duvet tucked up around her neck. He could feel her little hand pressed into his back pulling him closer even in her sleep. She was so beautiful, lips parted just so, a lock and red and black hair over her cheek. Qrow found himself smiling as he gazed lovely upon her, so very perfect in every way.

"What do you want to do today?" Ruby asked moving herself to share his pillow, pulling the duvet up with her.

Qrow smirked, "Stay in bed with my girl and show her all the things I can do with my tongue." he slid his hand up her thigh to her back.

Ruby blushed but not one to be beaten at this game, she lifted her leg and threw it over his hip, his morning wood coming very close to her core. "As nice as that sounds, I think Dad would notice."

Qrow jerked slightly at that brushing her core and she bit her lip, he pursed his lips and rolled her onto her back moving over her, careful to not rest his weight on her. He looked up to her, she was biting her lip again and somehow managed to part her legs so he had no choice but to settle between them. Little vixen. He thought fondly. "What am I going to do with you?" Ruby opened her mouth to give a few ideas that had come to mind in that moment but he leaned down and kissed her, stealing her words away. "Don't answer that, the last thing I need is you giving me ideas."

Ruby giggled at that, licking her lip and smiling. "I still like your first idea, I'm sure you could do some teaching without Dad being any wiser."

"Zwei! What are you doing?" Came echoing up the stairs, the pair and looked to each other with dread.

"We didn't miss anything did we?" Qrow asked leaping off of her and racing over to his drawer grabbing a pair of slacks.

"I don't think so." Ruby said moving with equal haste, she quickly checked her shirt, it did have his fluids dried on it but they were on the inside and not noticeable. Qrow fixed her hair as she pulled her pajama pants on and they were down the stairs seconds after Yangs' shout.

They found Zwei sniffing around the foot of the fireplace, Yang glaring down at him. "There is nothing there! I don't know what you want!" Yang said exasperated she was hungry.

Zwei looked up to the pair and barked, racing over to greet them. Qrow knelt down and rubbed Zwei behind the ear whispering. "If you tell Tai, I will turn you into a big fluffy hat."

The corgi titled his head and barked at Ruby, looking between the two with a mischievous knowing eyes. Ruby saw that look and reached down to pet him too, "Please just act normal Zwei." she whispered.

Zwei whined cocked his head and let out a happy bark, he'd keep their secret.

Yang asked as she couldn't hear what Ruby and Qrow said to the dog. "What are you three talking about?"

Ruby stepped away from Zwei and moved into the kitchen singing out. "Nothing!" Food would distract Yang, she gathered up oatmeal and filled a pot with water, taking both back to the living room.

Yang was sitting on the couch while Qrow, got the hearth going again, lighting the range as he worked. They only used it when the power went out but it was very handy to have the cast iron range.

Ruby put the pot on while Qrow managed the fire, she went and sat by Yang. Zwei jumped up on the sofa taking a moment to sniff Ruby's shirt causing the teen to blush before walking over with a little too much bounce in his step to sit in Yangs lap.

Tai came down the stairs with a yawn, taking in the scene below him. "Qrow? When did you get in?"

Qrow closed the door to the range with a click, shutting it tightly. "Late last night." He walked over and sat on the couch beside Ruby, pulling her into his lap.

Tai walked around and opened the curtains, letting white light into the warming house. "How's it in town?"

"Not much better than here, the power comes and goes, what crews there are don't have Vale's support so if the lines get damaged off the island…" Qrow shuddered at the thought.

"Which is likely given no one will be going out to look after them in this weather." Tai looked outside, the snow was halfway up the window. It looked to have the makings of a very long cold winter out there.

" Rymrgand is definitely out walking. Hopefully a boring winter is all we'll have to worry about." Qrow said drawing circles on Ruby's hip.

Tai checked the water, it was just starting to come to a boil, he eyeballed how much oats were needed and added them. "It definitely looks like that."